State Of Alert (aka S.O.A.) was a hardcore punk band formed in 1980 in Washington DC by vocalist Henry Garfield (aka Henry Rollins) along with Wendel Blow (bass), Michael Hampton (guitar), and Simon Jacobson (drums), the latter 3 being former members of a local band called The Extorts (Extorts vocalist Lyle Preslar went on to join Minor Threat). The band played a handful of local shows and put out a 7 EP before disbanding in 1981 when Henry left to join Black Flag.